US4090459A - Side lubricated seal device for a surface effect ship - Google Patents
Side lubricated seal device for a surface effect ship Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US4090459A US4090459A US05/781,292 US78129277A US4090459A US 4090459 A US4090459 A US 4090459A US 78129277 A US78129277 A US 78129277A US 4090459 A US4090459 A US 4090459A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- ship
- seal device
- combination
- set forth
- wall portions
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 title claims abstract description 10
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract 2
- 239000003570 air Substances 0.000 description 18
- 238000005461 lubrication Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001050 lubricating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000012080 ambient air Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002542 deteriorative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004513 sizing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000638 solvent extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000087 stabilizing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
- B60V1/00—Air-cushion
- B60V1/11—Stability or attitude control
- B60V1/12—Stability or attitude control by dividing the cushion
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
- B60V1/00—Air-cushion
- B60V1/04—Air-cushion wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls
- B60V1/046—Air-cushion wherein the cushion is contained at least in part by walls the walls or a part of them being rigid
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
- B60V1/00—Air-cushion
- B60V1/16—Flexible skirts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60V—AIR-CUSHION VEHICLES
- B60V3/00—Land vehicles, waterborne vessels, or aircraft, adapted or modified to travel on air cushions
- B60V3/06—Waterborne vessels
- B60V3/065—Waterborne vessels hulls therefor
Definitions
- This invention relates to air cushion supported vehicles, and more particularly to marine vessels of such type which are sometimes referred to as surface effect ships ("SES").
- the invention relates to flexible air cushion seals comprising one or more inflatable bags or "lobes" which move against stationary parts of the vehicle.
- seal devices may be used at the stern of a "SES" to extend between the side hulls or skegs of the ship as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,491; or, between air cushion space partitioning keels or skegs or the like for stability purposes, such as shown at 28 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,517.
- Such inflatable seals may also be employed to seal the air cushion at the bow end of the ship; and may comprise either a single bag or "lobe", or pluralities thereof arranged in superposed relation.
- the seal device is hingedly affixed at its forward end to the hull structure so as to bridge the water/air cushion space beneath the ship, while the major body portion thereof is adapted to float vertically in conformity with the passing of waves or other obstacles under the craft; thereby maintaining the air cushion under the vessel.
- the seal moves vertically, such as in response to wave influences thereunder, the opposite ends of the seal slide vertically against the adjacent stationary structures of the vehicle.
- the purpose of this invention is to eliminate or at least minimize the frictional resistance effects which would otherwise deleteriously wear or tear the fabric of the seal incidental to rubbing contacts between the ends of the seal and the stationary structures of the vehicle.
- the ends of the lobe(s) of the seal structure are apertured and are otherwise configured so as to permit egress of compressed air from interiorly of the seal, thereby providing compressed air lubrication of the end portions of the seal structure relative to stationary structural portions of the vessel; thereby eliminating or at least reducing frictional damage to the opposite ends of the seal, while at the same time efficiently maintaining the air cushion under the vessel.
- FIG. 1 is a stern end perspective view of a surface effect ship embodying a stern end air cushion seal arrangement embodying the present invention; a corner portion of one of the side hulls of the vessel being cut away to show one end of the seal fabrication;
- FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of a portion of the end of the seal showing in FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a SES vehicle having seal devices of the present invention both at the stern thereof and also intermediately of a centrally disposed stabilizing keel structure thereof;
- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on enlarged scale, taken as suggested by lines 4--4 of FIG. 3;
- FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 are views corresponding to portions of FIG. 2 but showing modified forms of seal lobe end fabrications and lubricating air projecting aperture arrangements;
- FIGS. 6, 8 and 10 are views corresponding to FIG. 3; but illustrate the air lubricating performances of the seal fabrications of FIGS. 5, 7, 9, respectively.
- the invention is embodied in a generally conventional type surface effect ship having a main structure or platform 12 which is buoyantly supported relative to a body of water by means of opposite side hulls 14--14.
- the side hulls are encompassed at the bow end of the ship by means of a bow seal device 16 and at the stern end of the ship by means of a seal device 18 extending laterally between the stern ends of the hulls 14--14.
- the space beneath the ship platform 12 is adapted to confine a cushion of air for partially raising the ship out of water whenever a suitable supply of compressed air (or other gas) is furnished thereto by means of blowers, as is well known in the art.
- a suitable supply of compressed air or other gas
- the invention is illustrated and further described in detail herein as being embodied in a stern seal comprising a vertical laminate of individually air-inflatable bags 20 of the so-called lobe type, it is also to be understood that either one or more of such bags may be employed for that purpose, and that the invention may similarly be embodied in a bow seal or substituted for an intermediately disposed seal system for purposes as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,517.
- such bag(s) include opposite end wall portions which are typically formed of flexible sheet material, and which under operating conditions constantly move (primarily vertically) in response to wave action relative to the adjacent hard wall surfaces of the hulls 14--14.
- the fabric of the end walls of the seal structure are constantly subjected to wear and tear deteriorating forces.
- the opposite end walls of the seal bag(s) 20 are perforated so as to permit egress of air from the interior(s) of the bag(s) so as to air-lubricate the otherwise frictional motions therebetween; the rate of egress of air being of course responsive to the pressure differential between the interior(s) of the bag(s) and the ambient air cushion.
- the perforations 22 may be distributed substantially throughout the end view areas 24 of the bag(s) 20.
- FIG. 5 illustrates how, alternatively, a ring of such apertures may be provided through the end wall 24 so as to substantially complement the profile of the end wall of the bag while providing suitable air-lubrication, as explained hereinabove.
- FIGS. 7, 8, illustrate a modified form of the bag end wall lubrication system of the invention as shown at FIGS. 5, 6, wherein an outstanding gasket member 28 is provided to encompass the area occupied by the apertures 26; whereby to more efficiently retain the air-lubrication effect.
- the gasket 28 may of course be fabricated of any suitable wear-resistant material whereby to further contribute to minimization of wear/tear deterioration of the bag structure.
- FIGS. 9, 10 illustrate still another means for efficiently confining the air-lubricating effect between the end wall of the bag and the hard structure of the ship. In this case a portion of the end wall 24 of the bag 20 is "countersunk" or recessed as indicated at 30, so as to encompass the area occupied by the apertures 26.
- the present invention provides means for minimizing wear and tear deterioration stresses upon floating type air cushion seals such as are currently employed in surface effect ships or the like.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sealing Devices (AREA)
Abstract
In a surface effect ship of the type having at least two relatively spaced wall-like stationary structures extending longitudinally beneath the main body of the ship into and below the water line of the ship to partially confine thereunder the ship support air cushion, and a seal device of the inflatable bag type extending laterally between the stationary structures to assist in sealing the air cushion beneath the ship; the seal bag being apertured through its opposite end wall portions to permit egress of air therethrough so as to lubricate movements of the end wall portions relative to the stationary structures.
Description
This invention relates to air cushion supported vehicles, and more particularly to marine vessels of such type which are sometimes referred to as surface effect ships ("SES"). Specifically, the invention relates to flexible air cushion seals comprising one or more inflatable bags or "lobes" which move against stationary parts of the vehicle. For example, such seal devices may be used at the stern of a "SES" to extend between the side hulls or skegs of the ship as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,491; or, between air cushion space partitioning keels or skegs or the like for stability purposes, such as shown at 28 in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,517. Such inflatable seals may also be employed to seal the air cushion at the bow end of the ship; and may comprise either a single bag or "lobe", or pluralities thereof arranged in superposed relation. In any case the seal device is hingedly affixed at its forward end to the hull structure so as to bridge the water/air cushion space beneath the ship, while the major body portion thereof is adapted to float vertically in conformity with the passing of waves or other obstacles under the craft; thereby maintaining the air cushion under the vessel. As the seal moves vertically, such as in response to wave influences thereunder, the opposite ends of the seal slide vertically against the adjacent stationary structures of the vehicle. The purpose of this invention is to eliminate or at least minimize the frictional resistance effects which would otherwise deleteriously wear or tear the fabric of the seal incidental to rubbing contacts between the ends of the seal and the stationary structures of the vehicle. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,205,847 and 3,524,517.
According to the invention, the ends of the lobe(s) of the seal structure are apertured and are otherwise configured so as to permit egress of compressed air from interiorly of the seal, thereby providing compressed air lubrication of the end portions of the seal structure relative to stationary structural portions of the vessel; thereby eliminating or at least reducing frictional damage to the opposite ends of the seal, while at the same time efficiently maintaining the air cushion under the vessel.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail hereinafter as are illustrated by the accompanying drawing.
FIG. 1 is a stern end perspective view of a surface effect ship embodying a stern end air cushion seal arrangement embodying the present invention; a corner portion of one of the side hulls of the vessel being cut away to show one end of the seal fabrication;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged scale fragmentary view of a portion of the end of the seal showing in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a SES vehicle having seal devices of the present invention both at the stern thereof and also intermediately of a centrally disposed stabilizing keel structure thereof;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view on enlarged scale, taken as suggested by lines 4--4 of FIG. 3; FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 are views corresponding to portions of FIG. 2 but showing modified forms of seal lobe end fabrications and lubricating air projecting aperture arrangements; and
FIGS. 6, 8 and 10 are views corresponding to FIG. 3; but illustrate the air lubricating performances of the seal fabrications of FIGS. 5, 7, 9, respectively.
As shown at FIGS. 1, 3, the invention is embodied in a generally conventional type surface effect ship having a main structure or platform 12 which is buoyantly supported relative to a body of water by means of opposite side hulls 14--14. To enable the ship to operationally ride substantially higher upon a cushion of air, the side hulls are encompassed at the bow end of the ship by means of a bow seal device 16 and at the stern end of the ship by means of a seal device 18 extending laterally between the stern ends of the hulls 14--14. Thus, as shown in the above referenced patents, the space beneath the ship platform 12 is adapted to confine a cushion of air for partially raising the ship out of water whenever a suitable supply of compressed air (or other gas) is furnished thereto by means of blowers, as is well known in the art. Whereas the invention is illustrated and further described in detail herein as being embodied in a stern seal comprising a vertical laminate of individually air-inflatable bags 20 of the so-called lobe type, it is also to be understood that either one or more of such bags may be employed for that purpose, and that the invention may similarly be embodied in a bow seal or substituted for an intermediately disposed seal system for purposes as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,517.
In any case such bag(s) include opposite end wall portions which are typically formed of flexible sheet material, and which under operating conditions constantly move (primarily vertically) in response to wave action relative to the adjacent hard wall surfaces of the hulls 14--14. Thus in the case of the prior art the fabric of the end walls of the seal structure are constantly subjected to wear and tear deteriorating forces. In the case of the present invention the opposite end walls of the seal bag(s) 20 are perforated so as to permit egress of air from the interior(s) of the bag(s) so as to air-lubricate the otherwise frictional motions therebetween; the rate of egress of air being of course responsive to the pressure differential between the interior(s) of the bag(s) and the ambient air cushion.
The sizings/numbers/locations of the above referred to perforations will of course depend upon engineering choices, which will in turn depend upon the configurations and dimensions of the end walls of the bag(s). As shown for example at FIGS. 1 and 2 and 4, the perforations 22 may be distributed substantially throughout the end view areas 24 of the bag(s) 20. FIG. 5 illustrates how, alternatively, a ring of such apertures may be provided through the end wall 24 so as to substantially complement the profile of the end wall of the bag while providing suitable air-lubrication, as explained hereinabove.
FIGS. 7, 8, illustrate a modified form of the bag end wall lubrication system of the invention as shown at FIGS. 5, 6, wherein an outstanding gasket member 28 is provided to encompass the area occupied by the apertures 26; whereby to more efficiently retain the air-lubrication effect. The gasket 28 may of course be fabricated of any suitable wear-resistant material whereby to further contribute to minimization of wear/tear deterioration of the bag structure. FIGS. 9, 10, illustrate still another means for efficiently confining the air-lubricating effect between the end wall of the bag and the hard structure of the ship. In this case a portion of the end wall 24 of the bag 20 is "countersunk" or recessed as indicated at 30, so as to encompass the area occupied by the apertures 26.
It will be appreciated that the present invention provides means for minimizing wear and tear deterioration stresses upon floating type air cushion seals such as are currently employed in surface effect ships or the like.
Claims (9)
1. In combination, a surface effect ship of the type having at least two relatively spaced rigid wall structures each having inboard and outboard sides extending beneath the main body of the ship into and below the water line of the ship to partially confine thereunder the ship support air cushion and having a seal device comprising a self-contained inflatable bag extending between the inboard sides of said rigid structures operating to assist in sealing the air cushion beneath said ship, said inflatable bag having apertured opposite end wall portions which are spaced from and positioned adjacent to the inboard sides of said spaced wall structures to permit egress of pressurized gas between the end wall portions of the bag and the inboard sides of the spaced wall portions so as to lubricate movements of said end wall portions relative to said rigid, spaced wall structures.
2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seal device comprises a laminate of adjacently disposed inflatable pillow type bag members.
3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seal device is employed to air-cushion-seal the stern end of said ship.
4. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seal device is disposed intermediately of the longitudinal extent of said main body of said ship.
5. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the apertured end wall portions of said seal device include a generally flat form which is discretely perforated to provide apertures therethrough permitting limited jet-like egress of pressurized gas from the interior of said seal device.
6. The combination and seal device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said apertures are disposed substantially throughout the areas of said end wall portions.
7. The combination and seal device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said apertures are series-aligned to inscribe the profile peripheries thereof.
8. The combination and seal device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said apertures are encircled by laterally projecting gasket devices.
9. The combination and seal device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said apertures are located within recessed portions of said end walls.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/781,292 US4090459A (en) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-03-25 | Side lubricated seal device for a surface effect ship |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US05/781,292 US4090459A (en) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-03-25 | Side lubricated seal device for a surface effect ship |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US4090459A true US4090459A (en) | 1978-05-23 |
Family
ID=25122276
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US05/781,292 Expired - Lifetime US4090459A (en) | 1977-03-25 | 1977-03-25 | Side lubricated seal device for a surface effect ship |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US4090459A (en) |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4176613A (en) * | 1977-11-25 | 1979-12-04 | Rohr Industries, Inc. | Fixed geometry water jet inlet for a surface effect ship |
US4350107A (en) * | 1978-08-23 | 1982-09-21 | Mattox Darryl F | Air cushion vehicle |
US4489667A (en) * | 1983-01-13 | 1984-12-25 | Textron Inc | Surface effect ship seals |
FR2554403A1 (en) * | 1983-11-07 | 1985-05-10 | Textron Inc | AIR CUSHION SEAL SYSTEM FOR SURFACE EFFECT VESSEL AND SHIP PROVIDED WITH SUCH A SEAL |
US4543901A (en) * | 1983-11-07 | 1985-10-01 | Textron, Inc. | Surface effect ship air cushion seal system |
FR2573021A1 (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1986-05-16 | France Etat Armement | SURFACE VESSEL WITH SIDE BOWS PROVIDED WITH IMPROVED LIFT DEVICES |
US4646866A (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1987-03-03 | Etat Francais | Surface effect type, side keel vessel fitted with an improved forward buoyancy cushion seal apparatus |
US6293216B1 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2001-09-25 | Bruce R. Barsumian | Surface effect ship (SES) hull configuration having improved high speed performance and handling characteristics |
US6604478B2 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2003-08-12 | Bruce R. Barsumian | Hull configuration utilizing multiple effects for enhanced speed, range and efficiency |
US7316193B1 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2008-01-08 | Hydroeye Marine Group, Llc | Vessel for water travel |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3518956A (en) * | 1967-05-26 | 1970-07-07 | Marius Georges Henri Girodin | Bubble hulls |
GB1210973A (en) * | 1968-03-05 | 1970-11-04 | Hovermarine Ltd | Improvements in or relating to marine craft |
US3987865A (en) * | 1975-03-19 | 1976-10-26 | The B. F. Goodrich Company | Gas-cushion vehicle skirt |
-
1977
- 1977-03-25 US US05/781,292 patent/US4090459A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3518956A (en) * | 1967-05-26 | 1970-07-07 | Marius Georges Henri Girodin | Bubble hulls |
GB1210973A (en) * | 1968-03-05 | 1970-11-04 | Hovermarine Ltd | Improvements in or relating to marine craft |
US3987865A (en) * | 1975-03-19 | 1976-10-26 | The B. F. Goodrich Company | Gas-cushion vehicle skirt |
Cited By (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4176613A (en) * | 1977-11-25 | 1979-12-04 | Rohr Industries, Inc. | Fixed geometry water jet inlet for a surface effect ship |
US4350107A (en) * | 1978-08-23 | 1982-09-21 | Mattox Darryl F | Air cushion vehicle |
US4489667A (en) * | 1983-01-13 | 1984-12-25 | Textron Inc | Surface effect ship seals |
FR2554403A1 (en) * | 1983-11-07 | 1985-05-10 | Textron Inc | AIR CUSHION SEAL SYSTEM FOR SURFACE EFFECT VESSEL AND SHIP PROVIDED WITH SUCH A SEAL |
US4543901A (en) * | 1983-11-07 | 1985-10-01 | Textron, Inc. | Surface effect ship air cushion seal system |
FR2573021A1 (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1986-05-16 | France Etat Armement | SURFACE VESSEL WITH SIDE BOWS PROVIDED WITH IMPROVED LIFT DEVICES |
EP0182695A1 (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1986-05-28 | ETAT-FRANCAIS représenté par le DELEGUE GENERAL POUR L'ARMEMENT (DPAG) | Surface-effect ship with rigid side keels, equipped with lifting means |
US4646866A (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1987-03-03 | Etat Francais | Surface effect type, side keel vessel fitted with an improved forward buoyancy cushion seal apparatus |
US4724786A (en) * | 1984-11-12 | 1988-02-16 | Etat Francais | Surface effect, side keel vessel containing perfected buoyancy systems |
US6293216B1 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2001-09-25 | Bruce R. Barsumian | Surface effect ship (SES) hull configuration having improved high speed performance and handling characteristics |
US6604478B2 (en) | 1999-11-16 | 2003-08-12 | Bruce R. Barsumian | Hull configuration utilizing multiple effects for enhanced speed, range and efficiency |
US7316193B1 (en) | 2005-04-29 | 2008-01-08 | Hydroeye Marine Group, Llc | Vessel for water travel |
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